Two women mugged a knife-point within minutes of each other

TWO women, including a 76-year-old, have been threatened at knifepoint in separate muggings at Byron Bay, police have said.

Both muggings happened in the town centre on Sunday night.

In the first incident, about 7.25pm, a man armed with a knife approached a 26-year-old woman at an ATM at Jonson Street.

The man threatened the woman and demanded cash, but fled empty-handed when the woman screamed.

About five minutes later the man approached a 76-year-old woman walking along Byron Street, towards Middleton Street. He once again threatened the woman with the knife and, this time, escaped with her handbag.

Neither woman was physically hurt.

The man was described as aged in his 30s or 40s, between 170cm to 180cm tall, with sort dark hair and wearing a blue top.

In the second incident, he was also described as wearing black-framed glasses, black long pants, with a black v-neck jumper covering the blue shirt. He was also seen wearing a grey-coloured fedora style hat.

Anyone with information about the muggings or who thinks they may have seen the man should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.